The Morrison Rotary Club celebrated the transition of our outgoing President Dr. Brad Yaklich, right, and incoming President Ron Coplan, center. Dr. Yaklich presented Coplan with a plaque to thank him for the decades he has served as our weekly newsletter publisher.
Dr. Yaklich presented a plaque to Phil Renkes to honor him for the 30-plus years he served as our Foundation Director. Renkes noted that the Morrison Rotary Club members have donated in excess of $550,000 to the Paul Harris Foundation.
The funds raised in this foundation provide
- vocational training for teachers, establishing an early childhood education center in South Africa
- water filters, toilets, and hygiene training, to prevent fluorosis on teeth, diarrhea, and other diseases in India
- a scholarship for a medical professional in Italy, to research treatments that minimize mortality rates among premature babies
- peace-building seminars for 200 teachers and 1300 students in Uganda
- treating mosquito nets and medical services that prevent malaria in Mali.
Later, Coplan presented Dr. Yaklich with a President pin, to thank him for his year of service. During his tenure, Rotary met the following goals:
- a tree was planted in Morrison, IL, for each of our 40+ Rotarians
- we met our goal to donate $1000 to Polio Plus, funding efforts to eradicate Polio worldwide
- our goal to increase membership was met
- $5000 was donated to area students in scholarships, to attend area colleges and technical schools
Rotarians and their spouses celebrated a successful year with a dinner at Happy Joe’s Pizza, 109 W. Main Street, Morrison.
If anyone would like information to join this wonderful organization you can go to our website www.morrisonrotary.org or contact any of our Rotary club members.